Since I had such wonderful comments this time around, I wanted to go ahead and reply to each one individually.

Passon: Thank you for your comments. But as I've mentioned before, this is more of a character study than anything. If you're wanting Obi & Padme to hop into bed together, you're probably reading the wrong story. There are plenty of those kinds of stories out there. As the story moves along, there's going to be plenty of angst, but no quick physical consummation.

Naturekid: Most of how I'm framing the characters comes from the movies and their novels, especially the ROTS novel. I'm not denying in the least how close Obi & Anakin are. I totally agree that they absolutely adore each other. But there's tension even between people who are close. Think about what Anakin is currently facing: he's becoming a bit battle hardened, he was feeling jealous of the kids because of how much they occupied Obi, he finds out that the kids were also going to keep Obi at the Temple while he had to go on a mission, he hardly got to spend any time with Padme, Padme is staying with Obi for a while at the Temple, he's separated from Obi-Wan for a prolonged period for the first time and he hasn't been meditating! He's a bit stressed, to say the least, and his emotional controls are not good. One thing I'm trying to show that I think George got wrong in ROTS (along with Padme) was Obi's seeming complete blindness or obliviousness where Anakin's emotional spiral is concerned. I think it stretches credibility that in AOTC, Obi was worried about Anakin's readiness to handle a mission on his own, his obvious obsession with Padme and his arrogance. And yet in ROTS, all those worries seem to have disappeared. After AOTC, Anakin was knighted, even though he disobeyed orders to remain on Naboo and protect Padme and the fact that he slaughtered an entire village of Sand People. Even if Yoda wasn't aware of the details of what Anakin did, he still felt his rage. And yet in ROTS, Obi has complete trust in Anakin, has no worries except Anakin's stress & says that Anakin would never let him down. Mace could sense Anakin's inner conflict, but Obi couldn't? Obi spends more time with Anakin than anyone. He would be able to sense Anakin's descent long before he did in ROTS. I think he would sense and worry about Anakin's declining emotional control, even though he would most likely be powerless to stop it. As for Pamde & Anakin talking more often…This story isn't about Anakin. I'm not going to cover his every move. Just because I'm not writing about it, doesn't mean it isn't happening. Yes, you can assume that Padme & Anakin are speaking more frequently than I include in the story. However, you have to remember that Padme is rarely alone. She's either with the kids or Obi-Wan or both. They can't speak so frequently as to put up a neon sign saying "Hey, we're attached!" Yes, Padme loves Anakin (which I have indicated), albeit in a more sisterly fashion, however, she is quite conflicted right now. She's coming to see the man she married changing (she wouldn't be blind to it either) and she's realizing that her true soul mate is someone she thinks she can never have. Anyway, long-winded response, but I do thank you for your thoughts!

Maia's Pen: Thank you SO much for your thoughtful and detailed reviews! I really enjoyed reading them! Though I'm sorry I kept you up so late that night!I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much! Hmm, will they ever get together? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Scarlet Kenobi: Thank you so much for your remarks! Your update as requested…

tickler2000: Is this enough tickling?

LuvObi: Wow! Thank you so much! He IS perfect, isn't he?

Obiwanfan: I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comments! (blush)

ally127: Thank you! I'm glad they made up, too!

DarthGladiator45: Thank you for reading!

Jedi X-man Serena Kenobi: Wow, that's quite a pen name! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks for reviewing!

Gizzi1213: I don't know if it will happen exactly as you envisioned, but there will be plenty of angst! I personally love Obi's sarcastic sense of humor!

The Dancing Cavalier: Your wish is granted! Obi's loyalty to the Order & to Anakin will reign…for now!

Mu-san: Now, now. As Obi would say…Patience! J Thank you for all your reviews!

Okay, now on with the chapter!

ooooo

Padme answered the door to find Yoda and Mace. "Good morning. Please come in. Where is Obi-Wan?"

"There was an emergency situation, so he's in the Ops room right now." Mace turned to the children. "Would you like to join the crechlings for their play time?" He smiled at their chorus of 'yes.'

"Master Windu, take the children. Stay with Padme for tea, I will."

Mace gave Yoda a questioning look before ushering the children out the door.

Yoda looked at Padme with his penetrating eyes. "Questions you have for me?"

Padme had been told of Yoda's perception. She did have questions for the wise Master. "Yes, actually, I do. Have a seat and I'll get the tea started." When they were both settled, she pondered how to word her question. "How did the Code come into being?"

"Question have you, on a particular part of the Code?"

"Um, yes. Why is attachment forbidden?"

"Hmm. Popular question that is. When attached one is, afraid he or she can become of losing the person they are attached to. Lead a Jedi to place the attachment over their duty, it can. Led to disaster, this has in the past. The welfare of one being placed above the welfare of the many."

Padme nodded her head in understanding. "I see. Do you think it's impossible for a Jedi to have an attachment and do his duty?"

"Impossible, no. But strong Jedi, selfless Jedi, it would have to be." Yoda eyed Padme closely. "A Jedi like Obi-Wan." He noticed her sharp intake of breath. "However, pick and choose who to apply the Code to, we cannot."

"Are you saying that you would allow Obi-Wan to have an attachment if you could?" Padme had to remind herself to breathe.

"Yes. Handle it, I think he could. But understand the Code, Obi-Wan does. Rebel against it, as have some other Jedi, he has not. To make life unpleasant, is not the purpose of the Code. When understand the reason for the Code a Jedi does, when rebel against it, they do not, then more apt to be lenient the Council is in its enforcement."

Padme thought back to conversations with her parents. They had told her that the rules they had set up were for her own protection, not to make her life miserable. They had also made clear to her that if she was disobedient, they would strictly enforce the rules to the letter. If she proved responsible and mature, they would be more lenient. When put into this context, she understood the position of the Council. "But there are friendships within the Jedi Order. Isn't that a form of attachment?"

"An unwillingness to let someone go is what is meant by the word 'attachment.' Close Obi-Wan and I are, but if duty required me to sacrifice him, I would. Not accepting loss, not accepting the will of the Force leads to the Dark Side."

"Do you foresee a relaxing of the 'no attachment' rule in the future?"

Yoda closed his eyes as he sought his answer in the Force. He opened his eyes again with a sigh. "Much too clouded the future is. Closing in, the Dark Side is."

The sadness Padme saw in Yoda's eyes was sobering. "What would cause someone like Count Dooku, who was a Jedi, to turn to the Dark Side? And what does the mean, exactly?"

"Deceitful and enticing the Dark Side is. Manipulative. Anger, lies, mistrust and hunger for power are the weapons of the Dark Side. And powerful they are. An easier road, the Dark Side is. Allows a person to think of their own desires first and foremost, it does. Once a Jedi starts down that road – consuming it is."

"It isn't possible for them to turn back to the Light?"

"Possible, but unlikely."

Padme's thoughts turned to her husband's desire to be a Master. "What is required for a Knight to be made a Master?"

"Reach the level of Master, most Knights do not. Reserved it is, for the wisest and most capable of Jedi."

Padme remembered Anakin's comments about his power and capabilities warranting Mastership. "Is their power with the Force a consideration?"

"A part of it, of course. More important things there are than sheer power, however. Wisdom, discipline, emotional control, humility. The makings of a great Jedi, determined it is by the heart of that Jedi."

Padme smiled. "If that's the case, then Obi-Wan must be one of the greatest Jedi ever."

Yoda patter her hand with an approving smile. "Agree with you, I do."

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Obi-Wan joined Padme and the children for lunch. "I know I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with you lately. So, how about I cancel my appointments for the rest of the day and we spend the day having fun together?"

James' face broke out in a huge smile. "You mean it? The whole day?"

"Yes, I do. We can watch a holoflick, play games, whatever you want."

Devin bounced in his seat excitedly. "Can we watch 'Attack of the Space Pirates'?"

Obi-Wan coughed. "If that's what you want."

Kira looked at Obi-Wan shyly. "Can we go swimming?"

"Yes! Oh, can we?" James looked at Obi-Wan and Padme expectantly.

Obi-Wan turned to Padme. "What do you think?"

"Well, I don't know…"

"PLEASE?"

"Well, I suppose we could…"

"Yea! Thank you!"

"Can we go now?"

Padme chuckled at their enthusiasm. "No. We will finish eating our lunch first and give it time to digest. Why don't we watch the move and then go swimming?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Sounds good to me. Then after dinner we can play some games."

Padme was warmed by the joy radiating from the children. Obi-Wan had been very busy the last few days – constantly being called away for meetings or emergency situations. The Separatists had amped up their attacks, wasting a great number of lives and much equipment. She was beginning to worry that Obi-wan was spreading himself too thin. He was obviously fatigued. She was glad that he would be taking this day to relax and have fun.

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Padme walked with Kira out of the changing room in the Room of a Thousand Fountains to find Obi-Wan and the boys already in the water. She was disappointed that Obi-Wan had beaten her. She had wanted to see him in his swim shorts. Oh well, I'll see him when he gets out. Padme smiled wickedly. When he's all wet. She watched the play of the muscles in his back as he picked up Devin and playfully tossed him back in the water.

Devin came back up giggling. "Do that again!" With all of the lakes on the planet Naylon, both Devin and James were adept swimmers. Kira, on the other hand, did not know how to swim. Thus, she was currently encircled by an inflatable tube to keep her afloat.

James swam over from the deep end. "Padme, come in!"

Obi-Wan turned around and froze. Padme was wearing a conservative, crimson-colored one-piece swimsuit. But it did nothing to hide her womanly curves or her flawless, pale skin. Her hair hung down in loose, cascading curls. She was stunning! Okay, this was NOT a good idea.

Padme found it hard to meet Obi-Wan's eyes. She could only see him from the waist up, but it was enough to take all words from her mouth. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. She put one foot in the water and found it to be pleasantly warm. She quickly immersed herself and swam towards Kira.

Devin swam back over to Obi-Wan. "Padme, watch this!"

Padme again watched Obi-Wan's muscles work as he threw Devin into the water. Sigh. "That looks like a lot of fun, Dev."

"It is! You should have Obi-Wan do it to you, too!"

Padme exchanged an amused smile with Obi-Wan. "Maybe I will." If I am ever so lucky. She turned to Kira, who was paddling beside her. "Would you like me to take you around the lake?"

"Yes, please."

Padme walked backward along the edge of the shallows, pulling Kira along by the handle on her tube. She spotted James standing on a rocky ledge underneath the large waterfall. He then dove off the ledge into the deep part of the lake. When he came back up, she yelled out to him. "You dive beautifully, James!"

James grinned shyly. "Thank you. We used to swim in the lake near our home every day." His smile dimmed as he thought of his now-destroyed home and his missing parents.

Obi-Wan noticed the change in the boy. "We'll find your parents, James, one way or the other. I promise." I just pray that they'll be alive and well.

James perked up a bit. "I believe you." He dove back under the water.

Padme's eyes met Obi-Wan's. She gave him and encouraging smile. He always seemed to know the right thing to say to these kids. She continued to pull Kira along as Obi-Wan and Devin swam for the waterfall. She unwittingly came to a stop as Obi-Wan climbed up onto the ledge. Oh, my. She found it impossible to pry her eyes away as he let the water cascade down his back. His eyes were closed and he was obviously relishing in the massaging spray. Padme, on the other hand, was relishing in the view.

Kira looked confused. "Why did we stop?"

"Hmm? Oh!" Padme resumed pulling Kira along, not taking her eyes off Obi-Wan for a second. What was it about him, anyway? How could he cast such a spell? It wasn't like her husband was hard on the eyes. And he had a nice, well-built physique. But…there was just something about Obi-Wan. Aside from the fact that he was gorgeous, he also had charisma and sex appeal out the yin-yang!

Obi-Wan ended the show by gracefully diving off the ledge. He was followed quickly by Devin, who was copying his every move. He swam over to James and engaged him in some games. After a while, he swam back over to the shallows. "I brought a ball. Why don't we all play together?" He didn't want Kira to feel left out. He got out of the water and grabbed the ball.

Padme again watched in complete enjoyment as Obi-Wan left the water. It was a sight she could never get tired of. They tossed and hit the ball around, laughing and having a good time. Padme couldn't remember the last time she'd had this much fun. "I think we better get out soon. My skin is starting to shrivel."

Obi-Wan was sitting on the edge by the shallows. "As you wish, Milady. Let's go get dinner ready."

As Padme walked with Kira to the changing room, again keeping an eye on the retreating form of Obi-Wan, she thought of how comfortable and natural being together like this felt. A day like today reminded her so much of the family outings she'd enjoyed as a child. A part of her joy was diminished by the thought that this time would fly by and would be over before she knew it.